Replies

1. 
   JMartinsky | Mar 01, 2005 05:17am | #1

   Bosch, hands down.

   John

1. 
   CAVEMAN1 | Mar 01, 2005 03:23pm | #8

   Thank's for the answers!!! I'll try out bosch!

2. 
   davefrommesa | Mar 01, 2005 05:51am | #2

   Festool. Hands down the best. More money yes but you get more tool.

1. 
   JMartinsky | Mar 02, 2005 05:32am | #20

   You are correct, I was in a hurry and was thinking price range. A revised answer would be Fein (if they still make it), Festool and Bosch/ Metabo in the price range offered. John

3. 
   jwinko | Mar 01, 2005 06:11am | #3

   depends on how much you want to spend and how often you use your saw.  Buy one with an orbital action.  Black & Decker made or still makes one.  The cadillac is the Bosch, but Makita & Porter Cable or Dewalt are also real good and cost 120$ and up.

   good luck

   john

1. 
   wrudiger | Mar 01, 2005 06:51am | #4

   In addition to brand check out style.  D-Handle vs. barrel grip.  Based on discussion here and on Breaktime I recently went with the new Bosch barrel handle and find it much easer to control and more comfortable for long use.  the Bosch replaces a number of cheaper jig saws I've owned and reminds me of the old adage - curse once when you buy it OR each time you use it.  Coastal Tool has great prices on the Bosch and are awesome to work with.

4. 
   Goldntouch | Mar 01, 2005 08:12am | #5

   No doubt, Bosch.

5. 
   CRAIGCONEY_M | Mar 01, 2005 10:18am | #6

   Best to last

   Festool, bosch, milwaukee, PC,......................Dewalt- B&D, Skil

    

6. 
   MAVERIK | Mar 01, 2005 10:31am | #7

   B&D tools are jokes!

7. 
   jc21 | Mar 01, 2005 04:14pm | #9

   Don't overlook Milwaukee ............

1. 
   DDay | Mar 01, 2005 05:22pm | #10

   What's the difference between the new bosch top handle and the 1587 older model?  The motor is larger but what else?  The new one doesn't take the collins coping foot, which is a negative so I'm not sure which one I'm going to pick up.

1. 
   AlanMikkelsen | Mar 01, 2005 06:43pm | #11

   Another Milwaukee fan........Alan & Lynette Mikkelsen, Mountain View Farm, est. 1934,  Gardens & Fine Woodworking, St. Ignatius, MT

1. 
   cidion | Mar 01, 2005 06:48pm | #12

   I recently got a Metabo, and like it fairly well. But it wasn't mentioned.Anyone else have a Metabo? I was under the impression that they were a decent brand.[EDIT]
   Sorry, should be addressed to "all"

   Edited 3/1/2005 10:50 am ET by cidion

1. 
   user-343246 | Mar 01, 2005 07:19pm | #14

   I tried out the Metabo before I bought the Bosch. The big plus of the metabo is you can fit a shop vac (fein) hose into it (I have the metabo 6" ROS and I do this). The difference between the bosch and the metabo comes down to the variable speed. Metabo has five or six set speeds. So does the Bosch. However, when pull the trigger part way on the bosch, you get infinitely variable speed.If you like Metabo tools, have a look at the Ridgid line from Home Despot. The tools are identical.

2. 
   cidion | Mar 01, 2005 07:29pm | #15

   I have a Bosch 14V drill, and 1617 Router, and have been happy with both. With the small exception of the Drill. the keyless chuck sometimes comes loose. Very frustrating. I'll be taking it back to lowes soon.I got the Metabo Jigsaw for $100, with 4 extra blades, so I think it's alright for my first jigsaw. But good stuff to know.I need to order the attachment that goes on the back. I have the black part, but it looks like the dust collector hose hooks on it.thanks for the info

2. 
   forestgirl | Mar 01, 2005 08:32pm | #17

   I don't know these two saws, but from reading, the differences might be found here, especially the CRC:

   A One Touch Blade Change mechanism means less downtime and more productivity. The saw's Constant Response Circuitry keeps the blade moving at the desired speed for added control and consistent performance. The saw also Features a wrench-less foot with tension adjustment for fast, easy bevel cutting,

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

3. 
   JohnSD | Mar 01, 2005 09:17pm | #18

   DDay, the older Bosch, if I have my model #s right, has a clumsy tool-less blade change system.  It works but is fussy and irritating.  I would get the newer one even if it is a little more costly.  JohnD

1. 
   DDay | Mar 02, 2005 12:08am | #19

   I noticed that the other day when I was checking them out at the supply house.  I don't know if it was broken or not but the darn thing wouldn't release for the blade.  The only negatives I see for the newer bosch is that it won't accept the collins coping foot for doing trimwork and the speed adjustment looks like a pain in the neck.

8. 
   TonLoc | Mar 01, 2005 06:51pm | #13

   Bosch actually invented the jigsaw. I have a Makita and am well pleased.  I agree a barrel grip seems to be better. Definitely get an orbital action one and the additional LED illumination when available is worth it!

9. 
   MatthewSchenker | Mar 01, 2005 07:49pm | #16

   Caveman,
   I vote for the Bosch or the Festool. Both are top-notch and beautiful to use.

   Here are a couple of links:

   Bosch:
   http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001X21RG/qid=1109695724/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/103-8836676-2967868?v=glance&s=hi&n=507846

   Festool:
   http://www.festool-usa.com/category.aspx?ID=3